Protecting world trade

On this day of remembrance and tribute for those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks, logistics professionals may also reflect upon some of the steps taken to prevent a similar event from taking place on our soil again.

On this day of remembrance and tribute for those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks, the logistics community may also reflect upon some of the steps taken to prevent a similar event from taking place on our soil again.

New procedures, rules and regulations now in place not only serve to deter future attacks, but also provide more transparency in the supply chain.

Consider the following:

• The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, an extensive bill that directs the secretary of the Transportation Department to identify vessel types and U.S. port facilities that pose a high risk of being involved in a transportation security incident and assess U.S. port facilities’ vulnerability to an incident.

• The International Ship & Port Facility Security Code, which is intended to ensure the security of ships and port facilities.

• The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. This is a government-private sector partnership that safeguards the trade industry from attack but does not cripple international commerce.

• The U.S. Container Security Initiative, a program intended to help increase security for maritime containerized cargo shipped to the United States from global points of origin.

• The U.S. Transportation Workers Identification Credential, a security measure intended to ensure that individuals who pose a threat do not gain unescorted access to secure areas of the U.S. maritime transportation system.

While terrorists will no doubt continue to seek new ways and methods to stifle trade, it is reassuring to recognize that logistics professionals and national agencies are meeting that challenge by increasing fresh layers of security.

September 11, 2013

About the Author

Patrick Burnson, Executive Editor

Patrick Burnson is executive editor for Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management Review magazines and web sites. Patrick is a widely-published writer and editor who has spent most of his career covering international trade, global logistics, and supply chain management. He lives and works in San Francisco, providing readers with a Pacific Rim perspective on industry trends and forecasts. You can reach him directly at [email protected]

While Amazon’s recent bid to purchase Whole Foods made mainstream headlines, the e-commerce giant will still need to adhere to time-tested realities. Any way you slice it, the integrated U.S. cold chain requires optimized service from existing ports, 3PLs, cold storage warehousing, transportation providers and high-value vendors.